St. Mary Magdalene is shown meditating on the crucifix in this painted wooden sculpture at the National Galley of Art in Washington.

Nancy Wiechec/CNS

Staff and Wire report

It's been quite a year for St. Mary Magdalene.

Recognizing St. Mary Magdalene's role as the first to witness Christ's resurrection and as a "true and authentic evangelizer," Pope Francis raised the July 22 memorial of St. Mary Magdalene to a feast on the church's liturgical calendar, the Vatican announced June 10, in a decree and article titled "Apostolorum Apostola" ("Apostle of the Apostles").

In the article for the Vatican newspaper, Archbishop Arthur Roche wrote that in celebrating "an evangelist who proclaims the central joyous message of Easter," St. Mary Magdalene's feast day is a call for all Christians to "reflect more deeply on the dignity of women, the new evangelization and the greatness of the mystery of divine mercy."

"Living in the Spirit of Mary Magdalene," the annual collaborative celebration co-sponsored by St. Perpetua Catholic Community, Lafayette, and Christ the King Parish, Pleasant Hill, seeks to do just that in two events.

Morning Eucharist for the feast of St. Mary Magdalene will be celebrated at 8 a.m. July 22 at Christ the King Church, 199 Brandon Road, Pleasant Hill. The theme is "Taking a Chance on Love: The Wisdom of Mary Magdalene." Contact: Gwen Watson, 925-930-9965 or animo3@pacbell.net.

An evening presentation, including prayer and song, "Ever Ancient, Ever New: Exploring the Possibility of Women Deacons in the Catholic Church," is set for 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 28 at St. Perpetua Church, 3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette. Natalie Terry and Luke Hansen, SJ, will speak to the complex historical, theological and contemporary pastoral questions the commission instituted by Pope Francis is likely to explore. Discussion to follow. Information: www.stperpetua.org. Contact: Suzanne Bregman, 925-708-0720 or sgbregman@msn.com.